Athletics News

Notes On A ScorecardTCU director of intercollegiate athletics Chris Del Conte discusses the hot topics around the Horned Frogs

Chris Del Conte

Dec. 19, 2012

HAPPY HOLIDAYSOn behalf of the TCU family, we wish you and your family Happy Holidays and safe travels if you're joining us in Arizona next week for the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl.

DONNING THE CAP AND GOWNCongratulations to our 29 student-athletes and all those who received their TCU degree this past Saturday in our December commencement ceremony. When our football program takes the field next Saturday night at Sun Devil Stadium for the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, it will have 13 student-athletes with their degree already in hand. That's a great testament to head coach Gary Patterson, his staff and our outstanding folks in our athletics academics services office, led by former TCU football standout and now assistant athletics director for academic services Shawn Worthen.

BUFFALO WILD WINGS BOWLAs we approach the 6,000 mark for tickets sold to the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl in Tempe, Ariz., I can't thank the Horned Frog Nation enough for their support! We still have great seats available for the Dec. 29 game versus Michigan State. Tickets can be purchased here. It is very important for us to travel well to this game. If you are unable to attend, please consider supporting our football program by purchasing tickets and donating them to "Project Purple," which identifies underprivileged youth in the Phoenix area and provides their families an opportunity to attend the game and cheer on the Frogs. Please call the TCU Athletics Ticket Office at (817) 257-FROG (3764) for more details.

CHECK OUT OUR MOBILE APPAs mentioned last week, we have a new mobile app called "All TCU Athletics" for iOS and Android devices. The icon says "TCU Official." While at last night's men's basketball win over Southern, I actually watched the game, including replays, on my phone. This is part of our third-tier television rights though the Big 12. In addition to the live streams of games, you can also access videos on our website (www.GoFrogs.com) through your mobile device or iPad. The cost is just $4.99 per month or $19.99 per year.

BIG 12 HOOPS COMINGOur Big 12 home basketball openers are rapidly approaching. The women open conference play Jan. 2 in Daniel-Meyer Coliseum versus defending national champion Baylor, while the men will host Texas Tech on Jan. 5. Individual Big 12 men's and women's basketball game tickets are now available. With approximately 500 tickets remaining, we are very close to a sellout for the Feb. 6 men's game versus Kansas. Our women's Jan. 2 contest with Baylor has also seen very brisk sales. For any of our men's and women's Big 12 home games, please make sure to buy your tickets in advance here. You can also drop by our athletics ticket office in the DMC or call (817) 257-FROG (3764).

BASEBALL SEASON NEARINGThe Feb. 22 home-opening baseball series with Cal State Fullerton is just over two months away. Season-ticket renewals for the 2013 campaign at Lupton Stadium were mailed this week. You can also renew online here. This year's Big 12 home baseball schedule includes series with Kansas, Oklahoma State, Baylor and Texas.

SHOPPING WITH THE FROGSWith Christmas shopping in full swing, there's no better time to check out the TCU gear available on our online store (shop.gofrogs.com). Just click on the link, peruse the items available and still receive everything in time for Christmas. Please go here.

ON THE DOCKETWe hope to see you in Daniel-Meyer Coliseum tonight as our women's basketball program hosts No. 6 Georgia in a 7 p.m. contest. We'll also have a home women's game on Saturday at 2 p.m. versus UTPA. If you're in the Houston area on Saturday night, please make a point to support our men's basketball program as it plays at Rice in a 7 p.m. game.

MEET THE STAFFTCU soccer fans undoubtedly remember Jackie Torda as a four-year letterwinner (2007-10) and all-conference honoree. Upon her 2011 graduation with a degree in advertising/public relations, Jackie joined our marketing staff as a graduate assistant. We're now proud to announce that she has been promoted to the full-time position of assistant director of athletics marketing. A native of Colleyville, Texas, Jackie received her master's degree in educational administration from TCU. She works directly with our women's basketball, tennis and equestrian programs while assisting with football and other sports.

LET'S TALKPlease join me today at 3:30 p.m. CST for an online chat on GoFrogs.com. We'll discuss whatever is on your mind. Questions can be submitted in advance here.

SPANNING THE GLOBEThis week's edition of TCU supporters flashing the Horned Frog sign and apparel from all points worldwide comes from John Butler, while he was living in Dubai, UAE. Matt Lundborg and Victor Rocca came to visit, and all three 2008 graduates of the Neeley School took this picture with the flag by the Burj Al Arab hotel. Please continue to send me (delconte@tcu.edu) your images to share.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Mike Sullivan was a two-time All-Southwest Conference offensive guard and four-year letterman (1987-90) for our football program. He was elected to the TCU Lettermen's Association Hall of Fame in 2007. Mike is still active with the Association, heading up the Houston Area Lettermen's Alumni and is also an at-large board member. Mike is the Business Development Manager for Clean Energy Fuels for the South Central United States.

COMPLIANCE CORNERBowl season is upon us! With that, comes a reminder about gambling on NCAA-sponsored sports. The NCAA prohibits all student-athletes and TCU staff members from placing a wager on any sport sponsored by the NCAA at any level (e.g. high school, collegiate or professional). A wager is defined by the NCAA as placing any item of value at risk in exchange for the possibility of winning a prize. This would prohibit wagering in any form on bowl games. This does not prohibit student-athletes or TCU staff members from participating in an open event that does not require an individual to place an item of value on the line (e.g. ESPN.com's Bowl Mania or Streak for the Cash).

KEEP IN TOUCHPlease let us know if you ever have any questions or concerns regarding our program. This is also your program and we value your feedback. We welcome all calls and emails.